Team sources: Golden State Warriors would trade Monta Ellis, not Stephen Curry, for Chris Paul

The Warriors, according to multiple sources, are not interested in trading point guard Stephen Curry to New Orleans for star point guard Chris Paul since the team would have no assurance that Paul would sign with Golden State long term.

But if the Hornets are willing to take guard Monta Ellis instead, that's a different story.

Team sources confirmed the Warriors are trying to get New Orleans to take Ellis plus other pieces instead of Curry. ESPN.com reported that talks between the Hornets and Warriors had "cooled" because of the Warriors' refusal to put Curry in the deal.

"Sigh of relief," Curry said jokingly after working out with some teammates Wednesday.

"They want me here," Curry said. "Obviously, it's the business of basketball. There are things that may happen where a G.M. has to make a decision for the best interest of the team. When you have a guy like Chris Paul who's a franchise player ... I understand that. I'm not going to be upset if they entertain it. Nice to be in a conversation with a guy like that."

This newspaper reported earlier in the week that the Hornets had expressed interest in acquiring Curry for Paul, arguably one of the five best players in the NBA. Paul is expected to opt out of his contract at the end of the season, so New Orleans is shopping him.

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One Warriors source said the team's involvement was always a calculated reach and that the Warriors never expected anything would get done. That's largely because Paul, rumored to have interest in playing for New York, wouldn't sign a long-term deal with the Warriors.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Paul would consider signing with the Warriors if they landed free-agent big man Tyson Chandler, who played with Paul in New Orleans. But the most assurance the Warriors could get from Paul is his word -- too big of a risk at too steep a cost, both team sources said. But Golden State might be willing to take that risk if it means giving up Ellis.

That's because Curry has the most value among the Warriors' assets, and that value is better spent on something guaranteed. What's more, trading Ellis would save the Warriors nearly $6 million in salary cap space.

All but one of the Warriors from the current roster is in town. Ellis stopped by only to chat with teammates, and center Andris Biedrins worked out in the morning. Neither was there for Wednesday's workout session at the team's practice facility. Guard Charlie Bell is expected to join the team Thursday.

The Warriors announced Wednesday they will hold an open-to-the-public practice at Oracle Arena on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. Parking and admission will be free.